The ice on the lake is different from yr to yr so yes we do normally have ice every yr but how much is the ?...I only fish out from the islands so I fish almost every yr..The ice forms out there first and lasts longer in a normal yr...Your weather here in ohio is totally unpredictable...That's why you don't have any responses,Its just tough to say,but the last 2 seasons have been great so maybe were on a roll.....